PaperlinX has appointed non-executive director Robert Kaye as its new chairman replacing fellow director Michael Barker, who had been in the job only for six months.

Wayne Johnston, deputy chief financial officer and executive general manager corporate services, PaperlinX, told Australian Printer, “This is a strategic rotation between Rob and Mike and we are looking forward in seeing Rob further direct to improve the governance of the board.”

Kaye is a senior counsel in New South Wales, and has given legal and strategic advice and acted for many public and private financial institutions and commercial enterprises. He was appointed to the PaperlinX board in September 2012 as a non-executive director.

Barker is currently the chair of the company’s audit committee and in addition will assume the role of the remuneration and HR committee, while Andrew Price, currently based in Holland, continues his role as executive director.

Johnston says, “Rob, Mike and Andrew Price have been working efficiently together.”

The paper merchant reported a $57.3m statutory loss after tax for the half year ending December 2012, as local paper volumes tumbled by 13 per cent.

The $57.3m loss is a 5.9 per cent year on year improvement, revenue was $1.44bn, down from $1.73bn the previous year due to weak market conditions and to a market share loss.